phenol

views updated

phe·nol / ˈfēˌnôl; -ˌnäl/ • n. Chem. a mildly acidic toxic white crystalline solid, C6H5OH, obtained from coal tar and used in chemical manufacture, and in dilute form (under the name carbolic) as a disinfectant. ∎  any compound with a hydroxyl group linked directly to a benzene ring.DERIVATIVES: phe·no·lic / fiˈnälik/ adj.

More From encyclopedia.com